Menu

Why I Quit My $100,000+ Job For My Dream Life

When I graduated from the highly regarded University of St Andrews with flying colours, I did what everybody did: – I got a respectable job.

I managed a Communications team for an international company for a couple of years, but soon found myself unsatisfied and went in search of something more fulfilling. I didn’t yet have a clue what my passion was (or shall I say, I did not want to acknowledge it yet) so I entered the highly competitive world of Investment Banking in London.

My working life was fast paced, highly competitive and cut-throat. That whole world was leagues away from the values that are most important to me in life. But at that time, I didn’t think like that – I was not yet ready to recognise that fact.

To match my adrenaline junkie work life, I had the big salary. And I spent every penny and more. I had the flash apartment in the city, I dined at the finest restaurants and I ordered champagne at the swishest clubs. I bought elegant clothes and went on luxurious holidays.

A Life Less Meaning

Every morning I woke up with dread for my working day ahead. I lived in a state of constant stress and I occupied my time with unfulfilling relationships.

When I look back now, I see that I had all the material ‘things’ but the truth is that I was selling my joy for them. Therefore I could never truly en-joy them.

A series of horrific events took place in my life in 2012 in order to bring about the transformation that delivered me to my new life. You can read about them here, if you like.

Accepting My Dream Life

When my world came crashing down, I realised just how short life is. And how precious it is. I began asking myself what it is that I truly value in my life. What were the things that mattered most to me? I answered:-

A Life Of True Riches

I have little now by ‘material’ standards. I live in a very simple home in the countryside near my family whom I cherish.

I go for walks in the stunning landscapes here for free instead of dining in fine restaurants.

I cuddle up by the fire at night with my book for free instead of glamorous clubbing.

I honour the money that I have now and only spend it on things that I know I truly value.

Most importantly I do what I love. I coach people to discover their passion and support them to make their life joyfully abundant. I write a blog to inspire people to live their authenticity. And doing what I know I was meant to do makes me feel alive in a way I have never felt before.

I feel as though I am finally honouring myself and who I was born to be.

I may not be earning $100,000 plus big bonuses anymore, but I feel richer now than I ever did.

I have time for myself. I have time to meditate, eat healthily and exercise every day. I choose my working hours. I feel deeply peaceful about my life. I get excited about my day. I celebrate my freedom. I feel authentic.

Found Within

My simple, humble life is in fact filled with those things that I truly value.

I have realised that all that I need to feel happy, whole and complete is already within me.

Post navigation

Sign up to my wonderful newsletter!

14 thoughts on “Why I Quit My $100,000+ Job For My Dream Life”

What a refreshing story Jess! There is so much more to life than money, but we still need money to live some type of life. I’ve realized that I can be just as happy , whether I have a surplus of money or just enough.

Welcome Pat and thank you for your comment. Yes I also offer coaching. Is this something you are interested in? If so, you can find out more here http://www.ilivethelifeilove.com/hire-me/ and you can let me know if you would like to have an initial chat on Skype to see how I can help you and if you would like to take things further. Sending you light and love, Jess

What a pleasure to receive your gorgeous comment and to have moved you. Isn’t interesting what happens when we start thinking about the infinite possibilities waiting for us in the world? It all happens perfectly.

What an awesome story. I think this just shows how little money has to do with happiness and overall life satisfaction. I especially like what you said about not earning as much money as before but feeling richer. I just resonate with that so much because there are so many different ways to feel rich. Why do so many people think money is the surest way to be rich? Life is so much more than money; you don’t necessarily need it to enrich your life.

I think this just shows that you have to listen to your heart and follow a path that’s true to you. Waking up every day to go somewhere you don’t like simply to earn a paycheck isn’t good. It’s a sign you need to switch things up a bit.

Thanks Jess for a lovely article. I too left the business to business world after a series of crises in my life between 2011 and 2013. Now I’m following my bliss too and coaching others to follow theirs, and slowly but surely things are turning around and heading in the direction I truly want – to inspire others to do what I did. Took me a little while to work out who I could help the most and now that I’ve done that I can be an even better coach. Thanks for the extra confirmation that I am doing the right thing. <3

Bless you and what you have gone through, Tania. I really admire that you have followed your heart and are pursuing your joy by doing what you love! You will receive all the abundance you deserve and more.

I have taken a look at your bright blog and it is just so obvious how committed you are to your journey, Tania:- such an important trait in a coach. I know you will work miracles with so many people and bring so much joy into the world. Thank you for the work you are doing. Keep going!

Hi Jess, This is my first time I come here. I love read your articles. But i still don’t understand how you make money after you quit your work at investment banking? Do you work as a blogger to make money? Sorry for my question, I’m just want to know if there is a way to make money and at the same time we able to live as we like. I like this way of life too. Money is not everything. Out life is short. So we must make our life full of meaning. Sorry for my bad english

Juan thank you so much for your gorgeous compliments and for being here. Your English is great 🙂 It is a good question – I did not just go from working in the City to where I am now. It has been a journey to get here and I have had to face many of my fears and trust in the process. In a practical sense, I have taken other jobs part-time in order to make enough money to start my blog. It takes time to start making money from blogging. Basically I make my money from affiliate marketing (only recommending products I know and love), coaching (this is my main source of income now) and I am starting to create online courses that will really help my readers. Because I made big life-changing choices about where I lived, how I spent my time and money etc, my overheads became minimal which meant I could afford to do what I was passionate about. I hope this helps!

Best of luck to you Juan – I know you will make your life full of meaning!

Thank you Kadri! I see that your passion is to travel the world far and wide…I admire you for listening to your inner voice and for having the courage to follow your joy! May your travels be blessed, always.